Michel Foucault. Panopticism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Michel Foucault. Panopticism - Essay Example This visibility is actually a trap: prisoners can see each other but cannot communicate. â€Å"The major effect of the Panopticon: to induce in the inmate a state of conscious and permanent visibility that assures the automatic functioning of power† (Foucault). Paradoxical at first glance, Foucault’s writing parallels contemporary realities and conflicts. Panopticon exemplifies a unique analogy of present day surveillance relations and principles (Simon 2). Panopticon also closely resembles and redefines the essence of modern communications, particularly, the Internet (Winokur 1). Winokur suggests that, through the prism of Foucault’s writings, the Internet makes users question the mere essence of electronic communications and relations (1). Why the Panopticon-Internet relationship? The answer is simple: both operate as complex poststructuralist models of human relations with permanent and conscious visibility as the main prerequisites for the successful use of power (Winokur 1). The Internet is more panoptic than cinema or television. It is a bi-directional space, in which people observe other people through the computer monitor. Contrary to most beliefs, the Internet is not an instrument of socialization and empowerment but merely a tool of remote control (Winokur 5). This is where Foucault’s Panopticon turns into a symbol of present day surveillance relations. However, Foucault’s writing is much more complicated than it seems; and so is the world described by the philosopher in his famous work. The writing deserves much attention and analysis to understand its real meaning and writer’s idea. The Panopticon is not merely an instrument and medium of power, its meaning is really more important. It is the symbol of social resistance and control (Simon 3). It is a representation of a socio-material epistemology (Simon 3). Panopticon shapes a unique but extremely

Exodus 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Exodus 3 - Essay Example Exodus also teaches us a few things that I would like to speak to you about today. These are leadership, obedience, sacrifice, and compassion. In the age of Moses and the prophets, God used to reveal Himself to people in such explicit and remarkable ways that even the prophets themselves would be left astounded. In addition, God used to correspond with prophets directly, and this communication was so direct to the point that it was virtually face-to-face. Modern religion finds it difficult to reconcile with such events because they are unheard of nowadays. However, this does not mean that God’s presence in our lives has waned. All of us are His children, and so long as we walk in His ways He will manifest Himself to us in ways that serve His purpose. In Exodus 3, we can see that God chose Moses to carry out His mission, which was to deliver the Israelites from Egypt and bring them back to Him. Moses’ story is remarkable because he was abandoned as an infant because his mother feared he would be killed by the Egyptians1. More remarkably, he was later rescued by the unlikeliest of people: Pharaoh’s daughter. He was, subsequently, raised as royalty, an Egyptian prince. Another observation is that Moses was the youngest in his family, and going by the standards of that age he was the least likely to be chosen by God. However, God works in mysterious ways, especially when it comes to choosing leaders. People need to understand that leadership is ordained by God; it is not anyone’s birthright. Consequently, those who occupy leadership positions should work to fulfill God’s commands and guide His people in His path. Leadership, at whatever level, is not something to be trifled with; it is a manifestation of God’s nature and character. Moses had a life before God revealed Himself to him. Of course, he was just herding sheep, but his life was